How to Use Demonstratives in Haitian Creole

What You Will Learn

Demonstratives are simply the words this, that, these and those.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Creole demonstratives sa a (this) and sa yo (these/those).

How to Say "This" or "That"

The Creole demonstrative sa a means this or that.

Demonstratives always come after the noun.

For example, let us suppose that you want to say This table in Haitian Creole.

The Creole translation of that would be tab sa a.

As you can see in the Creole translation, the demonstrative sa a appears after the noun tab.

Consider These Examples

Sa a is pronounced as one word. It sounds like sa-ah

1. Chèz sa a → This chair

2. Bèt sa a → This animal

3. Bwat sa a → That box

4. Telefòn sa a → That phone

How to Say "These" or "Those"

The Creole demonstrative sa yo means these or those.

Here too the demonstrative must always come after the noun.

For example, let us suppose that you want to say "these bottles" in Haitian Creole.

The Creole translation of that would be boutèy sa yo.

As you can see in the Creole translation, the plural demonstrative sa yo comes after the noun boutèy.

Consider These Examples

1. Chèz sa yo → These chairs

2. Bèt sa yo → These animals

3. Bwat sa yo → Those boxes

4. Telefòn sa yo → Those phone

Demonstratives - Just How Important Are They?

As you have seen this lesson, Creole demonstratives are quite simple. All you have to know are sa a and sa yo. But, the fact that this lesson is easy is no reason to underestimate how important it is.

As already mentioned at the beginning of this lesson, demonstratives are just as common in Creole as they are in English. Therefore, since you are going to be using them on a regular basis, try your best to know how to use them properly.

Footnotes*

1. While reading Creole, you may also come across the word sa. The words sa a and sa are not the same thing. A future lesson will explain the difference between them.